March 3rd, 2025
by William Earp
by William Earp
Theology of Change
Change by God’s Design
A view of God’s creation will show that change is not only necessary, it is part of God’s plan. In just the first day, when God created light and darkness, there was a change every day. Then, later, He designated times of the year and weather patterns that would create seasons. These changes not only give beauty and diversity to God’s creation, but they also allow the other parts of His creation to grow, produce fruit, and rest. Changing seasons allows certain items to flourish at different times of the year than others. If it were not for the cold of winter, the spring tulip would not bloom. Change is part of God’s great design. While many enjoy the warmth of the sun on a warm summer day if it were not for nightfall, the spots of the earth receiving that light would overheat, and life would not be sustainable.
This same necessity of change is seen in the lifecycle of a living organism. In the human body, the necessity for change is called homeostasis. Christopher Bergland wrote, “Homeostasis is a physiological process that keeps the internal environment of a living organism stable and balanced. The constant equilibrium created by homeostasis is vital to the survival of every species. Even when the external environment is rapidly changing, homeostasis keeps the body’s internal environment constant and steady.”[1] While it may seem that the organism is trying to prevent change, it is the change that allows it to survive. When the temperature outside rises, the temperature inside must compensate. This homeostasis, or “inner change,” is the toll by which the organism can survive or thrive when uncontrollable circumstances threaten its existence.
Organizations, especially churches, are no different than other organisms in terms of their necessity for change to survive. While every change does not need to be radical, it is necessary to make adjustments to survive. This is where homeostasis relates to the church. Since Jesus told Peter that He would be the beginning of the church, the conditions around the church have constantly evolved, yet the church's mission has remained the same. What must be maintained in the church is not the attendance, finances, or tradition; the innermost part of the church that must survive is the mission. The call to evangelize the lost and share the Gospel so that the Kingdom of God grows is the heart of the church. Without changes to create homeostasis, the church would die. Changes in tradition, worship style, translations, and location must all be flexible for the mission of the church to survive.
Flexibility is Key
When discussing the necessity of flexibility, Jenssen wrote, “This capacity to change is important because it affects how quickly changes will and can be implemented and, for instance, how able the church is to integrate new ministries in areas where gifts are discovered.”[2] This flexibility was evident in the beginning of the church. Acts 2:46-47 states, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (New King James Version). This young church was meeting in the temple and in people’s homes. By meeting in homes, the church was able to face the persecution that would later come. The church also faced an early change in leadership.
Change in Leadership
The first change in leadership was the addition of Matthias in place of Judas (Acts 1:15-26). Matthias was accepted to be in authority as one of the original 12. The next change in leadership structure came when the leaders were not able to meet the demands of the growing church. The Hellenist Jews confronted the twelve disciples because they felt the widows they were being neglected. The twelve responded and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.” (Acts 6:2). Because of this, the leadership came together and elected seven men to manage this aspect of the ministry. The leadership structure of the early church was constantly evolving so that the church's mission could survive. The disciples' response shows that the mission of the church is the priority, and the structure must be flexible.
Timing is Key
It is important to note that the changes in the early church were out of necessity. Change without reason is dangerous. Change must be made at the right time, under the right circumstances, and for the right reason. Jeff Iorg writes, “Major change must be made for one reason – advancing your ministry’s mission as it aligns with God’s mission.”[3] With change, purpose and timing are everything. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, “To everything there is a season, A time and purpose under heaven.” Churches must be carefully examined to determine the necessity of the desired change. A simple downturn or slow period does not necessitate change. What may seem like a needed change may be a seasonal period for the church that will course correct at the proper time. Leaders must pray for wisdom (Jms. 1:5) to know when change is necessary.
Conclusion
Think of Lewis and Clark. They would never have reached the Pacific Ocean if they had not changed their methods. Their vision was to find a navigable waterway across the country, but their mission was to make it complete the journey. When they reached the Rockies, they had to decide, make drastic changes or turn and go back.[4] That is the decision that every leader must face when the necessity of change faces them. What is the overall mission that they are trying to achieve, and can they carry on with the status quo? Are they willing and prepared to face the challenges that come with change? This is one of the reasons that Jesus promised the disciples that He would be present as the Great Commission was being followed through with. He knew there would be resistance and that the people who share the Gospel would need that boldness and provisions that only He could give.
The call of Jesus is to change. Whether the change is a repentant heart (Matt. 4:17, Matt. 23:25-26, Mk. 10:17-27), a shift in perspective (Matt. 18:3), or a change in location (Acts 1:4). Jesus calls people to make a change. It is the willingness to follow His direction and submit to His authority that is a sacrifice to the one making the change. Change is not always easy, or wanted, but change is necessary, and life is not sustainable without it.
[1]Christopher Bergland, “What Is Homeostasis?,” Verywell Health, accessed March 1, 2025, https://www.verywellhealth.com/homeostasis-6755366.
[2] Jan Inge Jenssen, “Leadership and Church Identity: A Discussion of How Leadership in the Local Church Can Help to Realize the True Nature of the Church,” Scandinavian Journal for Leadership and Theology 5 (January 12, 2018), https://doi.org/10.53311/sjlt.v5.33.
[3] Jeff Iorg, Leading Major Change in Your Ministry (Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2018). Bolsinger tells the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition. His general idea is that they must change their methods to reach their goal.
[4] Tod Bolsinger, Canoeing the Mountains Expanded Edition: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2018).
Change by God’s Design
A view of God’s creation will show that change is not only necessary, it is part of God’s plan. In just the first day, when God created light and darkness, there was a change every day. Then, later, He designated times of the year and weather patterns that would create seasons. These changes not only give beauty and diversity to God’s creation, but they also allow the other parts of His creation to grow, produce fruit, and rest. Changing seasons allows certain items to flourish at different times of the year than others. If it were not for the cold of winter, the spring tulip would not bloom. Change is part of God’s great design. While many enjoy the warmth of the sun on a warm summer day if it were not for nightfall, the spots of the earth receiving that light would overheat, and life would not be sustainable.
This same necessity of change is seen in the lifecycle of a living organism. In the human body, the necessity for change is called homeostasis. Christopher Bergland wrote, “Homeostasis is a physiological process that keeps the internal environment of a living organism stable and balanced. The constant equilibrium created by homeostasis is vital to the survival of every species. Even when the external environment is rapidly changing, homeostasis keeps the body’s internal environment constant and steady.”[1] While it may seem that the organism is trying to prevent change, it is the change that allows it to survive. When the temperature outside rises, the temperature inside must compensate. This homeostasis, or “inner change,” is the toll by which the organism can survive or thrive when uncontrollable circumstances threaten its existence.
Organizations, especially churches, are no different than other organisms in terms of their necessity for change to survive. While every change does not need to be radical, it is necessary to make adjustments to survive. This is where homeostasis relates to the church. Since Jesus told Peter that He would be the beginning of the church, the conditions around the church have constantly evolved, yet the church's mission has remained the same. What must be maintained in the church is not the attendance, finances, or tradition; the innermost part of the church that must survive is the mission. The call to evangelize the lost and share the Gospel so that the Kingdom of God grows is the heart of the church. Without changes to create homeostasis, the church would die. Changes in tradition, worship style, translations, and location must all be flexible for the mission of the church to survive.
Flexibility is Key
When discussing the necessity of flexibility, Jenssen wrote, “This capacity to change is important because it affects how quickly changes will and can be implemented and, for instance, how able the church is to integrate new ministries in areas where gifts are discovered.”[2] This flexibility was evident in the beginning of the church. Acts 2:46-47 states, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (New King James Version). This young church was meeting in the temple and in people’s homes. By meeting in homes, the church was able to face the persecution that would later come. The church also faced an early change in leadership.
Change in Leadership
The first change in leadership was the addition of Matthias in place of Judas (Acts 1:15-26). Matthias was accepted to be in authority as one of the original 12. The next change in leadership structure came when the leaders were not able to meet the demands of the growing church. The Hellenist Jews confronted the twelve disciples because they felt the widows they were being neglected. The twelve responded and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.” (Acts 6:2). Because of this, the leadership came together and elected seven men to manage this aspect of the ministry. The leadership structure of the early church was constantly evolving so that the church's mission could survive. The disciples' response shows that the mission of the church is the priority, and the structure must be flexible.
Timing is Key
It is important to note that the changes in the early church were out of necessity. Change without reason is dangerous. Change must be made at the right time, under the right circumstances, and for the right reason. Jeff Iorg writes, “Major change must be made for one reason – advancing your ministry’s mission as it aligns with God’s mission.”[3] With change, purpose and timing are everything. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, “To everything there is a season, A time and purpose under heaven.” Churches must be carefully examined to determine the necessity of the desired change. A simple downturn or slow period does not necessitate change. What may seem like a needed change may be a seasonal period for the church that will course correct at the proper time. Leaders must pray for wisdom (Jms. 1:5) to know when change is necessary.
Conclusion
Think of Lewis and Clark. They would never have reached the Pacific Ocean if they had not changed their methods. Their vision was to find a navigable waterway across the country, but their mission was to make it complete the journey. When they reached the Rockies, they had to decide, make drastic changes or turn and go back.[4] That is the decision that every leader must face when the necessity of change faces them. What is the overall mission that they are trying to achieve, and can they carry on with the status quo? Are they willing and prepared to face the challenges that come with change? This is one of the reasons that Jesus promised the disciples that He would be present as the Great Commission was being followed through with. He knew there would be resistance and that the people who share the Gospel would need that boldness and provisions that only He could give.
The call of Jesus is to change. Whether the change is a repentant heart (Matt. 4:17, Matt. 23:25-26, Mk. 10:17-27), a shift in perspective (Matt. 18:3), or a change in location (Acts 1:4). Jesus calls people to make a change. It is the willingness to follow His direction and submit to His authority that is a sacrifice to the one making the change. Change is not always easy, or wanted, but change is necessary, and life is not sustainable without it.
[1]Christopher Bergland, “What Is Homeostasis?,” Verywell Health, accessed March 1, 2025, https://www.verywellhealth.com/homeostasis-6755366.
[2] Jan Inge Jenssen, “Leadership and Church Identity: A Discussion of How Leadership in the Local Church Can Help to Realize the True Nature of the Church,” Scandinavian Journal for Leadership and Theology 5 (January 12, 2018), https://doi.org/10.53311/sjlt.v5.33.
[3] Jeff Iorg, Leading Major Change in Your Ministry (Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2018). Bolsinger tells the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition. His general idea is that they must change their methods to reach their goal.
[4] Tod Bolsinger, Canoeing the Mountains Expanded Edition: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2018).
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